Here is an exchange between EJ and me in a recent thread Yvonne started called Pyramiding with MBD. It's now a sticky in the General Tortoise Discussion section, if you want to read the whole discussion.
"So, I get that a pyramided tortoise does not necessarily have MBD. Are the conditions that lead to pyramiding similar to those that lead to MBD? Are pyramided tortoises more likely than non-pyramided tortoises to have MBD?
What are the symptoms of MBD, and what does a tortoise afflicted with MBD look like?
I saw a photo on here once of a tortoise with sort of a hunchback shell that someone said may have MBD.
I am assuming that the condition of Metabolic Bone Disease is more serious to the tortoise's health than pyramiding. How is MBD diagnosed and what, if any, are the treatments?"
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That was me. Here is Ed's response:
RE: pyramiding
I don't think so because I believe that there are two totally different physical mechanisms involved one is the laying down of the bone and the other is the bone growing... they are not the same. You can have bone growth without calcium... this is what leads to the porous bone. The bone is constantly in flux.
I believe that it is the keratin layer that is the what causes the pyramiding because it does not allow the bone to grow out.
There is the obvious malformed shell... not necessarily pyramiding. The legs cannot support the animal. Those are the obvious.
What I like to use is a 'tap' test. I lightly tap the shell... if it sounds solid and sharp... it is good... if it sounds hollow and dull... not good.
The best way to hear the difference is to try this with a tortoise that you know has a thin shell and one that you know has a good shell. Once you hear the difference there is no mistaking it.
Keep in mind that there are different levels of MBD.
You got it in that MBD is more serious than pyramiding. If caught early and the joints have not been effected... just add calcium and D3 in whatever form.
"So, I get that a pyramided tortoise does not necessarily have MBD. Are the conditions that lead to pyramiding similar to those that lead to MBD? Are pyramided tortoises more likely than non-pyramided tortoises to have MBD?
What are the symptoms of MBD, and what does a tortoise afflicted with MBD look like?
I saw a photo on here once of a tortoise with sort of a hunchback shell that someone said may have MBD.
I am assuming that the condition of Metabolic Bone Disease is more serious to the tortoise's health than pyramiding. How is MBD diagnosed and what, if any, are the treatments?"
***************************************************
That was me. Here is Ed's response:
RE: pyramiding
I don't think so because I believe that there are two totally different physical mechanisms involved one is the laying down of the bone and the other is the bone growing... they are not the same. You can have bone growth without calcium... this is what leads to the porous bone. The bone is constantly in flux.
I believe that it is the keratin layer that is the what causes the pyramiding because it does not allow the bone to grow out.
There is the obvious malformed shell... not necessarily pyramiding. The legs cannot support the animal. Those are the obvious.
What I like to use is a 'tap' test. I lightly tap the shell... if it sounds solid and sharp... it is good... if it sounds hollow and dull... not good.
The best way to hear the difference is to try this with a tortoise that you know has a thin shell and one that you know has a good shell. Once you hear the difference there is no mistaking it.
Keep in mind that there are different levels of MBD.
You got it in that MBD is more serious than pyramiding. If caught early and the joints have not been effected... just add calcium and D3 in whatever form.